The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts has officially shunned five members to deny them services and benefits for seven years.

The tribal council acted after four tribal members filed a lawsuit in state court seeking to look at the tribe's financial records. A fifth tribal member was also shunned.

The five weren't told of the move until a month later. That means they won't be able to see the tribe's records -- as a judge had ordered -- because they are not considered to members in good standing.

Since the tribe is incorporated as a non-profit under state law, the attorney general's office is now looking into the matter. Two of the plaintiffs said they met with the division of public charities to discuss the tribe's activities.

Get the Story:
State 'reviews' complaints of tribe dissidents (The Cape Cod Times 2/8)

Relevant Documents:
Summary of Acknowledgment Cases | R. Lee Fleming Declaration

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (May 2005)

Relevant Links:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe - http://mashpeewampanoagtribe.com

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